Means for sealing cartons



1945- N. HAMILTON ET AL 2,363,214

MEANS FOR SEALING CARTONS FiledSept. so, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NORMANHAMILTON WALTER- STERN INVENTORS Jan. 30, 1945. HAMILTON ET AL 2,368,214

MEANS FOR SEALING CARTONS Filed Sept. 30, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4

F165 FIG.6

.NORMAN HAMILTON WALTER STERN INVENTORS +1 TTORNEY' Patented Jan; 30,1945 MEANS FOR, SEALING CARTONS Norman Hamilton, Deer-field, and WalterStern,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Montgomery Ward & .00., Incorporated,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application'september 30, 19.42. 'Serial'No. 4601312 I 8 Claims.

This inventionrelates .to'the gluinglo'f the overlapping fiaps of.fibreboard cartons, .and particularly to a clamping device which isadapted to hold in intimate contact with one .another the previouslyglue-coated overlapping flaps of such a fibreboard carton while the.glue .dries.

The gluing of carton flaps and particularly where the contents do notcompletely fill the carton and support .the inner flaps, has hereto'fore been difficult to perform eiTecti-vely'because the inner flapshave tended to rotate inwardly on their score .lines as hinges and thusto prevent contact betweenglue-coated surfacesof the overlapping flaps.It has been a common practice to apply pressure upon the upper surfaceof the carton to ,press the outer fiapsinto contact with the inner flapswhile the glue .is .drying. However, where the contents do not en'tirely fill the carton and fail to provide internal support for theinner flaps, pressure applied .on upper surface of the outer Iflaps hasthe .efiect of causing the inner "flaps to rotate inwardly on theirscore lines into the unfilled space within the carton with the resultthat adequate contact between glued surfaces is ,prevented and little orno adhesion is obtained. 'It has also been a common practice to sealcartons by applying an adhesive tape to the seams'formed by the-edges ofthe outer flaps. However, this method of sealing does not provide thenecessary rigidity in those faces of the carton formed by theoverlapping flaps and the use of adhesive or other bond between outerand inner flaps is necessary to provide the rigidity required forprotection of contents. Glueis the cheapest and simplestmeans of 1obtaining the requiredbond' between the overlappin'g flaps. However, theattainment of a satisfactory gluebond requires that'inner flaps be heldin intimate contact with outer flaps while the glue dries. 'In sealingcartonsexclusively with glue no means now exists to effectively maintainsuch contact between flaps when the inner flaps are not supported bycontents ofthe carton.

The present invention seeks to enable .the effective sealing of cartonsexclusively with glue by providing a means of maintaining intimatecontact between'inner and outer flaps while the glue dries and seeks toprovide a carton which when glued utilizes the lamination of the glued 1overlapping flaps of cartons whose contents do not .firmly support theinner flaps against ,pressure on the outer flaps.

It .is another object .of the invention to .facilitate the gluing .of'the overlapping .flaps of the carton together with such .an area ofadhesion 'thatthe use of adhesive tape maybe eliminated and that thecarton will provide protection to its contents superior to thatheretofore ,pro-

.vided.

Aiurther object of the invention .is to provide -a resilient clasp whichis .adap'ted'because of its novel construction to engage simultaneouslythe .inner flaps and the overlapping .outer .iiaps .of

A outer-flaps to hold the inner 'flap in contact with the outer flaps,and whichlclasp may be readily removed from the carton for subsequentuse after theglue has dried.

Another objectrof the invention is to .provide a clasp which maybeinserted between the .closely adjacent edges of outer 'fiapsof'thecartoninto the space within the carton and adapted'to'liftintocontact with the outer flaps an inner flap which may have rotated onits score line to a position below the plane of contact withwthe outerflaps. I I g 'The above and other novl features of "the .invention willappear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It isexpressly understo0.d,'however, that the .drawings are employedforhpurposes ofillustra'tion only and "is not designed as a definitionof the limits of the invention, reference being had for this IPUIDOSB'tOthe appended claims.

'In the drawings whereinlike "reference numerals indicate like ,parts,

Figure 1 illustratesa carton in perspective view with the flaps unglued,.illustrating.roughly the manner otapplyingto the flaps the clasp whichconstitutes the 'objectlof the invention:

Figure 2 illustrates the .manner in which the carton of Fig. "1.isoperated .upon .byinsertion of the clasp and orientation .ofthetclasptotherilane of the flaps of the carton, so as to draw the innerand outer flaps into engagement with one another;

Figure 3 illustrates the clasps slid into their ultimate position sothat their points of contact with the flaps are in resilient engagementwith the flaps of the carton to resiliently maintain the flaps inintimate contact with one another over an extensive area;

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the general shape of theclasp;

Figure 5 is a side view of the clasp;

Figure 6 is a front view of the clasp; and

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the clasp.

Referring to Fig. 1 there will be seen the usual fibreboard cartongenerally indicated by the reference numeral II], which carton has onits top a pair of outer side flaps I2 and I4 and inner end flaps I6 andI8. The pair of outer flaps I2 and I4 in conjunction with the pair ofinner flaps I6 and I8 are so arranged as to substantially close the topof the carton.

In such cartons, when so packed that the contents do not tightly fillthe carton, the inner flaps I6 and I8 are unsupported by any insideresistance such as would exist in a tightly filled carton. For thisreason there is nothing to hold the inner flaps in contact with theouter flaps, and if the inner flaps should rotate inwardly on theirscore lines within the carton and away from the plane of the outerflaps, it becomes diiiicult to obtain sufficiently intimate contactbetween glued surfaces of the outer flaps and inner flaps to produce astrong adhesive bond when glue has dried. On the other hand, as has beenpointed out, if the outer flaps are taped together by adhesive tapeextending parallel with edges of the outer flap, there is still noassurance that glued surfaces of the inner and outer flaps will be heldin intimate contact over a sufllcient area to produce a satisfactorybond.

In order to assure that the inner flaps and the outer flaps are held inintimate contact with one another over a considerable area, the presentinvention contemplates the use of a clasp constructed substantially asis illustrated in Figs. 4 through 7. As illustrated the clasp consistsof a piece of heavy stiff resilient wire, the same being bent so as toprovide an elongated tongue portion 20 and transverse bearing portion 22joined to the tongue portion by an angle section 24 and a ring handleportion 26 extending from one end of the transverse bearing portion 22.The tongue portion 20 at its extreme end may be balled or rounded bybending over a short end thereof as at 28 and at its other end is joinedthrough the short end 30 to the angle section 24, which in turn isjoined to one end 32 of the transverse bearing portion 22. At the otherend of the transverse bearing portion 22, namely at 34, the wire isprovided with a short bend which thereafter flows into the ring 26 whichforms a handle. As illustrated in Fig. 5 the handle portion extendsupwardly and away from the tongue portion and transverse portioninclines rearwardly away from the balled end 28 of the tongue. Thehandle is so inclined in order to facilitate application and removal.

In employing the clasp for the purpose heretofore described, referencewill be had to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, for a description. The adjoiningsurfaces of the inner or outer flaps of the carton are suitably coatedwith glue or any other suitable adhesive. The flaps are then arrangedsubstantially in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the ball point 28 ofthe tongue 28 is inserted between the closely adjacent edges 36 and 40of the outer flaps I2 and I4 near the middle of the top. The tongue isthen manipulated within the outer flaps to engage the inner flap, forexample I6, and to lift the inner flap into contact with the outer flapsI2 and I4. The clasp is then rotated about an axis substantiallycoincident with the transverse bearing portion 22 to bring the tongue 20into a position substantially parallel with the plane of the outer flapsI2 and I4 and to elevate the inner flap I6 into engagement with theouter flaps I2 and I4 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thereafter asillustrated in Fig. 3 the clasp is slid along the narrow slot formed bythe edges 36 and 40 towards the end of the carton in order to bring thebearing points 32 and 34 toward a central portion of the overlappingareas of the flaps I2 and I4 and I8, and at the same time to causesubstantially the entire length of the tongue of the clasp to bearagainst the under side of the inner flap. The bearing points 32 and 34bear such a relation to the upper surface of the tongue as to force theouter flaps into intimate contact with the inner flap over aconsiderable area and with a pressure substantially equal to thatrequired to assure a satisfactory engagement during the time the glue isdrying. Fig. 3 also illustrates the position in which a second clasp isultimately located by proceeding through movements similar to those justdescribed, so that both inner flaps I6 and.I8 are positively held inintimate contact over considerable areas with each of the overlappingportions of the outer flaps I2 and I4. After the glue has had suilicienttime to dry each of the clasps is readily removed by sliding toward thecenter of the carton and withdrawing the tongue in a manner the reverseof its insertion.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a novel clasp adapted foruse in conjunction with cartons of the type described, which facilitatesand assures proper gluing of such cartons. When such clasps are employedthe cartons are found to have increased strength resulting from theproperly glued surfaces and that such cartons are able to better protecttheir contents.

While the clasp has been shown as constructed from a stifi resilientwire bent to the shape illus trated, it will be appreciated that theclasp may be constructed of other materials such as a molded or bentplastic or cast metal, the features of the invention, however, being aclasp provided with a tongue adapted to reach within a carton to engagethe inner flap and subsequently to operate in conjunction with itsbearing points, on the outer flap so as to securely hold the overlappingfiaps of the carton in intimate contact over a. considerable proportionof their overlapping areas.

Although this invention has been illustrated and described in connectionwith a single varying modification, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto but may be embodied in various modifiedforms. Since many changes in the construction and arrangement may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A clasp for temporarily holding the closure flaps of a fibreboardcarton in overlapped intimate contact during the gluing thereof,comprising a continuous length of wire bent to form a tongue portion anda bearing portion extending substantially transverse to said tongueportion adjacent to the center of a central straight section of saidtongue portion, and means lying outside of the general plane defined. bythe straight section of said tongue and said bearing portion forresiliently securing said bearing portion to said tongue portion fromone end thereof.

2. A clasp for temporarily holding the closure flaps of a fibreboardcarton in overlapped intimate contact during the gluing thereof,comprising a continuous length of wire bent to form a tongue portion anda bearing portion extending substantially transverse to said tongueportion adjacent to the center ,of a central straight section of saidtongue portion and means for resiliently securing said bearing portionto said tongue portion from one end thereof, said bearing portion beingslightly spaced from said tongue portion at the section of the bearingportion adjacent to said central tongue portion and being bowed toprovide bearing points on opposite sides of said tongue portionspaced'at distances from said tongue portion, said means lying outsideof the plane generally defined by the straight section and said bearingpoints.

3. A clasp for temporarily holding the closure flaps of a fibreboardcarton in overlapped intimate contact during the gluing thereof,comprising a continuous length of wire bent to form a tongue portion anda bearing portion extending substantially transverse to said tongueportion adjacent to the center of a central straight section of saidtongue portion and means for resiliently securing said bearing portionto said tongue portion from one end thereof, said bearing portion beingbowed to provide bearing points on opposite sides of said tongue portionspaced at distances from said tongue portion, and said means lyingoutside of the plane generally defined by the straight section and saidbearing points, whereby the area defined between the bearing portion andthe tongue portion may unobstructedly receive the closure flaps 4 of afibreboard carton. l

4. A clasp for temporarily holding the inner and outer closure flaps ofa fibreboard carton in overlapped intimate contact during the gluingthereof, comprising a, slender tongue member adapted for insertionbetween the adjacent substantially abutting edges of opposing outerflaps, and a bearing member arranged substantially transverse to saidtongue member and adjacent to a central portion thereof, and means forsecuring said transverse member to one end of said tongue member, saidtongue member being substantially straight over the portion thereofadjacent to said transverse bearing member, and said means lying whollyoutside of the plane defined by the straight portion and the transversebearing portion.

5. A clasp for temporarily holding the inner 5 stantially abutting edgesof opposite outer fiaps,

and a bearing member arranged substantially transverse to said tonguemember and adjacent to a central portion thereof, and means for securingsaid transverse member to one end of said tongue member withoutintersecting the plane lying between said bearing member and tonguemember and a handle secured to said clasp and extending upwardly fromthe bearing member side of said clasp.

6. A clasp for temporarily holding the inner and outer closure flaps ofa carton in overlapped intimate contact during the gluing therof,comprising a, slender tongue member substantially straight over itsmajor portion adapted for in- 'sertion within the carton between theadjacent substantially abutting edges of opposing outer flaps, and abearing member, transverse to said tongue member at a pointsubstantially central with respect to said tongue member, and means forsecuring said bearing member and tongue member in closely spacedrelation without intersecting the plane lying between said tongue memberand said bearing member, whereby said tongue member may be slidunderneath an inner flap of a carton and said bearing member slid overthe opposing outer flaps, to secure the flaps in contact with oneanother.

'7. A clasp for temporarily holding the closure flaps of a carton inoverlapped contact during gluing thereof comprising a length of wire,one

end of which is formed into a substantially straight tongue having aslanting short end portion having a rounded extremity, the other end ofwhich is bent to form three portions, a

40 portion transversely arranged with respect to said tongue, a portionresiliently joining the other end of said tongue with one end of thetransverse portion without intersecting the plane between said tongueand transverse portion and a, handle extending from the other end ofsaid transverse portion.

8. A clasp for temporarily holding the closure flaps of a fibreboardcarton in overlapped contact during gluing thereof comprising a lengthof resilient material, one end of which is formed into a substantiallystraight tongue having a short slanting end portion, the other end ofwhich is bent or shaped to form three portions, a portion transverselyarranged with respect to said tongue, 'a portion resiliently joining theother end of said tongue with one end of said transverse portion withoutintersecting the plane generally defined by the straight tongue portionand transverse portion, and a portion forming a no handle extending fromthe other end of the said transverse portion.

\ NORMAN HAMILTON.

WALTER. STERN.

